Morningside Gardens

Pros

• The staff were very friendly in helping applicants fill out a second application.
• They helped a homeless individual get in quickly.

Cons

• The complex is bedbug-infested, moldy, and filthy.
• Pests such as bed bugs, mice, and roaches are present.
• Drugs are reportedly available on the property, making it unsafe.
• Parking is poorly controlled; non-residents park in resident spaces.
• Security guards are ineffective and often do not respond to calls.
• Maintenance and repairs are neglected, with allegations of favoritism delaying fixes.
• The manager is accused of bias and rude behavior, with calls for staff to be fired.
• The area is associated with drunks, drug users, and gang activity; drug dealers are said to operate there.
• The place is considered unfit for anyone, even a pet, and some say it should be shut down.

Review

A chorus of residents paints a troubling picture of this place, describing it as a complex that has fallen into disrepair and neglect. Repeated complaints center on a hostile combination of pests, filth, and unsafe conditions. Bed bugs, mice, and roaches are mentioned so often that they feel like a defining feature of the community, alongside mold and general cleanliness issues. Several reviewers argue that the property is overdue for an ownership or management overhaul, expressing clearly that it would take serious changes to make the property livable again. The sentiment is consistently that this is not a place you would want to call home.

Safety and security emerge as another major thread. Reviewers recount outsiders staying in or moving through the units, making it hard for current residents to feel secure. Parking is a perpetual source of tension, with people outside the complex parking in spaces that residents rely on, including handicapped spots. Calls to security often go unanswered, and residents describe a lack of enforcement or responsiveness from the guards, creating a sense of vulnerability and frustration. The overall atmosphere is described as unstable, with residents worried about who is coming and going at all hours and whether proper precautions are being taken.

There is a rare glimmer of positivity amid the criticisms. One reviewer notes that they were homeless and were helped to move in quickly, suggesting that the staff can sometimes act with helpful urgency for those in need. Another point mentions staff trying to assist with the second application after the first one was lost, indicating that there are at least some individuals who are trying to help despite the larger dysfunction. These occasional supportive moments contrast sharply with the broader chorus of complaints, but they do remind readers that experiences can vary.

A focal point of the negative feedback centers on the management team and the staff's demeanor. Specific names come up repeatedly, notably a manager named Wendy, who is portrayed by some reviewers as biased and unresponsive to repair requests. One account accuses Wendy of favoritism toward drug users and toward Black tenants, alleging that she has ignored repair needs for years and suggesting she should be fired. Other residents describe staff as rude or inconsistent, with complaints about long waits for move-in decisions and even questions about who is being prioritized. There are also reports of the office losing applications and mixed experiences with other staff members, capturing a sense of organizational disarray.

Living conditions within the complex are frequently described as filthy and deteriorating. A common image is one of filth and neglect: water that, after cleaning carpets for weeks, still remains heavily stained or dirty; carpets that seem to trap odors; and pervasive odors of smoke or other substances that residents feel they cannot avoid. The environment is said to be loud and disruptive, with people knocking on doors at all hours trying to hawk food or other items. The neighborhood surrounding the property is depicted as problematic too, with drug activity and loitering near nearby stores creating a sense of encroaching danger for residents who are trying to live in peace.

Pest and sanitation problems are a persistent theme, reinforcing the sense that basic maintenance is not being kept up. Bed bugs are described as an ongoing infestation, alongside reports of roaches and mice. The combination of pests, damp conditions, and mold contributes to a perception of chronic contamination and an environment that is not conducive to health or comfort. Some residents explicitly state that the level of pest activity makes the apartment uninhabitable in their eyes, reinforcing a narrative of widespread dissatisfaction and urgent need for remediation.

The social and environmental climate around the property also gets criticism. One reviewer paints a picture of a neighborhood where illicit activities spill into daily life, mentioning the presence of drugs and gang activity, and even suggesting that drug dealers bring drugs to residents. Another account describes a scene where people knock on doors, and the overall sense is that the complex struggles with maintaining a safe and respectful community. The rhetoric is strong in conveying that the property feels overwhelmed by outside pressures and internal neglect, leaving many residents feeling unsafe or unwelcome.

Ultimately, the sentiment across the reviews is overwhelmingly negative, with frequent calls for drastic changes. Some residents argue for new ownership or a fresh management team that actually cares about what happens on the property and its residents. The strongest statements go beyond reform and toward shutting down the operation for the sake of safety and well-being, with several reviewers insisting that the place does not deserve a single star. In their eyes, the combination of pest infestations, mold and filth, rampant drug activity, unreliable security, and incompetent or biased management has created an environment that is not just uncomfortable but potentially dangerous for those who live there.

Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, this area offers a mix of amenities within close proximity for senior living. There are a variety of dining options ranging from casual to upscale, including Pretentious Beer Co., A Dopo Sourdough Pizza, and Bistro at the Bijou. For healthcare needs, there are several hospitals nearby such as Fort Sanders Hospital and East Tennessee Children's Hospital, as well as various physician offices and pharmacies. Residents can enjoy a cup of coffee at K Brew Coffee House or Jacks Coffee & Plants, or catch a movie at the Regal Riviera theater. Places of worship such as Immaculate Conception Catholic Church provide spiritual support, while parks like World's Fair Park offer opportunities for outdoor recreation. With its convenient location and diverse offerings, this area provides a comfortable and convenient setting for seniors looking to make it their home.

Restaurants

• Pretentious Beer Co. (1 miles)
• A Dopo Sourdough Pizza (1 miles)
• Blackhorse Pub & Brewery (1.1 miles)
• Sweet P’s Downtown Dive (1.2 miles)
• Schulz Bräu Brewing Company (1.2 miles)
• McDonald's (1.2 miles)
• Bistro at the Bijou (1.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Steps House (1.1 miles)
• Steps House (1.4 miles)
• Fort Sanders Hospital (2.3 miles)
• East Tennessee Children's Hospital (2.4 miles)

Cafes

• K Brew Coffee House (1.1 miles)
• Jacks Coffee & Plants (1.1 miles)
• Wild Love Bakehouse (1.7 miles)
• Starbucks (2.4 miles)
• South Press (2.6 miles)
• Starbucks (3.3 miles)
• Starbucks (4.1 miles)

Physicians

• Convenient Care Downtown (1.1 miles)
• East Tennessee Heart Consultant (1.6 miles)
• Rashmi Hottigoudar, MD (1.6 miles)
• Mercy Health Partners (1.6 miles)
• Baptist Health System (1.6 miles)
• Christenberry Clinic PC (1.8 miles)
• Knoxville Pain Center (2.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Paragon Infusion Center Knoxville (1.1 miles)
• H Bolton (1.2 miles)
• Mac's Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Riviera (1.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (1.2 miles)
• Water Angel Ministries (1.7 miles)
• Meridian Baptist Church (4.6 miles)

Parks

• World's Fair Park (1.6 miles)
• New Harvest Park Farmers Market (4.4 miles)
• Victor Ashe Park (5 miles)